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Pack 7's Pinewood Derby Homepage
The pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden models that Cub Scouts make with help from their families. Then they race the cars in competition. The cars are powered by gravity and run down a track. Every boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race.
Race Day: Sunday March 5, 2023, times TBA
Weigh-ins happen earlier in the week at the Hianloland fire station. This year, the Derby will return to Metcalf Elementary School in the cafeteria. Snacks, pizza, and drinks will be available as a fundraiser (subject to change). This is a family event so bring siblings, grandparents, uncles, cousins, and anyone else who can cheer on your Scout.
"Be Fast... or Look Good Trying"
The Derby is about doing one's best and having fun, so all child participants will be recognized. But that doesn't mean our race winners won't take home some shiny hardware. Especially the leaders who battle and fudge and manipulate their way to the oh so awesome victory lane for that oh so elusive glass of milk.
There will be three divisions...
There will be three divisions...
1) The Scout Derby - with the four fastest cars qualifying for the District Pinewood Derby!
1) The Scout Derby - with the four fastest cars qualifying for the District Pinewood Derby!
2)The Parent Derby - with the leaders cheating their way to contested victory again this year. Life is not fair boys. Live with it.
3) The Sibling Derby - Scout brothers and sisters through fifth grade can enter their own cars. Kids in sixth grade or above will be disenfranchised in the parent division. Bring Kleenex.
There will be several opportunities to mold and shape the block of pinewood into a mean lean well-decorated racing machine. Narragansett Council offers a regional event for a small fee. Pack 7 will announce a date and time for the free local workshop once we get the parents lined up who will be supervising the shop tools. The Scouts are not permitted to use power tools but they are encouraged to design the shape of their cars, sand them, and decorate them accordingly. Parents are encouraged to assist the child but they should let the child do most of the work.
Equal Ground
All entries in the derby will start with the "Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit" which includes the body, 4 axles, and 4 wheels. All nine pieces MUST be used before the car can race. The kits are sold at the local Scout Shop or online. All active Scouts will receive a kit as a Christmas present in December. Parent and siblings are on their own. Cars may not exceed 5.0 ounces in weight and must conform to certain size restrictions and specifications. Decorating the cars are up to the imagination of the Scouts. The complete set of rules will be distributed and made available at the Derby Workshops. Please don't worry about the small print specifically worded to exclude the leaders from some or all of the rules.
Volunteers
If you have any interest in helping to run this exciting event, even in a small way, please contact us! There is something for everyone's interest level from judging, decorating, greeting, A/V media, scoring, track runners, awards, etc. Attend the planning committee meetings in the months leading up to the event, learn from prior leaders, and add your own personal touch so you can put on an even better event this year.
Printable Rules:
2023 Pack 7_Council Rules.pdf(When 2023 rules are posted, they will be placed here)
Note: All other tips, tricks, and guides on the following pages are for information; in the event of a conflicting rule, the Council Rules shall apply. Whatever you read elsewhere on the internet, you do so at your own risk!!
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